明内官监太监成敬墓志读考

Interpretation of the Epitaph from Cheng Jing's Tomb(A Eunuch of Neiguanjian) of the Ming Dynasty

成敬为明陕西耀州(今陕西省铜川市耀州区)人,永乐间进士。曾在晋王府任职,受晋王谋反牵连受宫刑成为宦官。后在郕王府任职。土木之变(1449)后,郕王登基,成敬升为内官监太监。景泰五年(1454)卒于任。对于成敬考中进士的时间,文献记载不一,本文综合各方面资料,认为《明清进士题名碑》所载为是。同时还对成敬的履历、社会关系、成敬墓志的书撰人以及明代的宦官制度等方面做了考证。

This article offers an interpretation of the bibliography of Cheng Jing based on his epitaph. Cheng Jing was born in Yaozhou, and became ajin-shi （进士） during the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty. As he served in the King Jin＇s court Jinwangfu （晋王府） , Cheng Jing was subjected to castration penalization because of the King Jing＇s rebellion. Later, Cheng Jing served in King Cheng＇s court Chengwangfu （[成阝府]） . After the Tumu war in 1449, King Cheng claimed the Emperor＇s crown, and Cheng Jing was promoted to a eunuch in Neiguanjian （内官监）. Eventually, Cheng Jing died in 1454. Textual records are very unclear and controversial regarding the date when Cheng Jing became ajin-shi. This paper combines various lines of evidence and suggests that the information mentioned on mingqingjin-shitiming stele （明清进士题） is accurate. Meanwhile, the author offers new interpretation in terms of Cheng Jing＇s social relationship, the writer of Cheng Jing＇s epitaph, and the eunch system in Ming Dynasty, etc.